Our Heart's Closet

Are the clothes hanging in your literal closet a representation of you? Don’t you agree that what is hanging in our closets tell a lot about our personalities, our styles, our interests, and yes, often about our values.  In the same way, what is hanging in the closet of our heart tells the same story. 

In Colossians 3, Paul uses the imagery of putting off and putting on certain characteristics in the same way we would put off or put on certain outfits each day. These outfits (characteristics) tell the world a lot about who we are. That is why I have been referring to the ‘wardrobe’ of Chapter 3 in the previous introductory segments.

But before we check out our closets, we must first determine just who we are. Then, we can clean out and fill our heart’s closet accordingly.

As a quick review, remember, Colossians is a letter that Paul wrote to a new church in the area of Colossae. Through his letter he is teaching the young believers the importance of recognizing the pre-eminent role Christ should hold in their lives now that they are saved, and how that should affect their daily lives and attitudes.

WHO ARE YOU?~~HOOO   HOOO

Colossians 3:1 refers back to the message of chapter 2 (see previous two segments) and provides an excellent introduction to where Paul is going next. (Remember, Paul did not use chapters and verses when he wrote this letter.)The connection between the two chapters could read like this~Since you have been raised with Christ, don’t spend your time and energy contemplating and seeking after the philosophies of this world, but instead~, “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God…”

He then reminds the Colossian believers in verse 3 that they have died to their old self and are now alive in Christ. Since they have become new ‘creatures’ (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ, Paul now instructs them that it is time to clean out their 'closets' and fill them with  a whole new wardrobe. Thus, we should do the same!

Think about what is in your literal closet right now. Are there old, frayed, ugly, out of date outfits that don’t fit anymore?  When you clean out your closet, some items may be put into a garage sale pile, while others are just plain thrown into the trash!! RIGHT?

As we begin to examine the closet of our hearts, let’s think of those old, ugly characteristics that don’t (shouldn’t) fit our new life in Christ. What do we need to throw out? Paul begins to list those items in the verses to follow.

Spring cleaning?

Debbie